I wanted to tell you guys (anyone who lives in Southern AZ, so Phoenix, or Tucson, and Green Valley) that there is an organization called the 3000 Club that "rescues" produce from distributors, and re-sells it farmer's market style for ridiculously low prices. They advertise you can buy 60lbs of produce for $10. Really.

I've gone a few times (just got back from the market today actually) and it's the best thing ever. The organization calls it Market on the Move, and EVERY Saturday it's held in multiple locations around Tucson or Phoenix (primarily Phoenix). All you do is pay $10, grab a box, and fill it up as much you want. You can take entire cases of food if you feel like it.

Today's haul: an entire box of tomatoes, a bag of green beans, cherry tomatoes, 3 types of squash, eggplants, green bell peppers, and cucumbers. It's a really great way to stock up on produce for little to no cost, and they provide what's in season.

Are you in Tucson or Phoenix? Hopefully I'll remember to check it out in two weeks, because next week will be out for me. Sounds like it would be enough for multiple households in my family. I love that they're taking the produce to poorer neighborhoods in town and that my purchase helps others. Sounds like it's probably the "imperfect" food that's perfectly acceptable eating but not going to sell because of blemishes or other markings, etc.? I have a dream of feeding the hungry with that kind of food, and it looks like they're on that path.

The pews never miss a sermon but that doesn't get them one step closer to Heaven.
-Speckla

Thanks for sharing this info! I passed it on to my family. They are about 2 hours NE of Tucson but my dad is there twice a week for work. He said it's a great deal. He volunteers at the food bank in my hometown each week and said he'd pass on info to them as well. Thanks again.

Are you in Tucson or Phoenix? Hopefully I'll remember to check it out in two weeks, because next week will be out for me. Sounds like it would be enough for multiple households in my family. I love that they're taking the produce to poorer neighborhoods in town and that my purchase helps others. Sounds like it's probably the "imperfect" food that's perfectly acceptable eating but not going to sell because of blemishes or other markings, etc.? I have a dream of feeding the hungry with that kind of food, and it looks like they're on that path.

Originally Posted by NetG

I'm in Tucson
From what I understand it's the "imperfect" food and overflow of what grocery stores order, but seriously it's still perfectly normal food! It was all going to go into a landfill. Can you imagine? And this is only SOME produce that we get from Mexico. I haven't heard of any other organizations doing this, which is heartbreaking to think about all that food going to waste...

What's really great is that they're totally fine with you taking a lot of produce, in the hopes that you'll share with family and friends.

I'm in Tucson
From what I understand it's the "imperfect" food and overflow of what grocery stores order, but seriously it's still perfectly normal food! It was all going to go into a landfill. Can you imagine? And this is only SOME produce that we get from Mexico. I haven't heard of any other organizations doing this, which is heartbreaking to think about all that food going to waste...

What's really great is that they're totally fine with you taking a lot of produce, in the hopes that you'll share with family and friends.

Originally Posted by SaraNoH

I think it's great! Food Network did a special where some of their stars had to create meals from "garbage" - and it was pretty eye-opening to see what they were able to get! Just amazing, and to think we supposedly can't feed our hungry... lack of coordination is about the only reason I can think of.

The pews never miss a sermon but that doesn't get them one step closer to Heaven.
-Speckla

I'm in Tucson
From what I understand it's the "imperfect" food and overflow of what grocery stores order, but seriously it's still perfectly normal food! It was all going to go into a landfill. Can you imagine? And this is only SOME produce that we get from Mexico. I haven't heard of any other organizations doing this, which is heartbreaking to think about all that food going to waste...

What's really great is that they're totally fine with you taking a lot of produce, in the hopes that you'll share with family and friends.

Originally Posted by SaraNoH

I think it's great! Food Network did a special where some of their stars had to create meals from "garbage" - and it was pretty eye-opening to see what they were able to get! Just amazing, and to think we supposedly can't feed our hungry... lack of coordination is about the only reason I can think of.

Originally Posted by NetG

oh my gosh yes! I've seen a lot of shows featuring people who reuse everything they find from dumpsters (furniture, clothing, food was a big one). It amazed me how perfectly fine things are tossed out without a second thought. Think of all the restaurants and their food waste... My sister and a friend of mine have both worked at Subway and they said the amount of waste was astronomical, which of course dries up food prices.

Thank you for the info, my sister-in-law does this and loves it. I will def. check it out! I have researching Bountiful Baskets, have you heard of it? once a week in different locations through out the valley (Phoenix and I think also Tucson) you pay a fee of I think $15 and they give you a basket that you can fill up with a bunch of fruits and vegs from local farmers. I think I will check that out as well.

Thank you for the info, my sister-in-law does this and loves it. I will def. check it out! I have researching Bountiful Baskets, have you heard of it? once a week in different locations through out the valley (Phoenix and I think also Tucson) you pay a fee of I think $15 and they give you a basket that you can fill up with a bunch of fruits and vegs from local farmers. I think I will check that out as well.

Originally Posted by ester80

Yeah, I know a few people who do BB. I thought about signing up, and maybe I will once the summer hits (I think Market on the Move kinda closes down for the summer, unless you're a member of the organization).